Transport chiefs spend millions to prepare for monster British winter

MILLIONS of pounds have been spent to avoid a repeat of last year’s big freeze chaos across Britain.

MILLIONS of pounds have been spent to avoid a repeat of last year’s big freeze chaos across Britain.

In an effort to reassure the nation, the Department of Transport yesterday said that the country’s stock of salt and grit now tops two million tons – its highest ever level.

The Highways Agency said more than 500 salt-spreading trucks and 20 snow-blowing lorries are on standby in 100 depots nationwide.

Network Rail revealed it has spent £40million on heating and de-icing units to stop points and rails freezing – which caused rail services across the country to grind to a halt last year.

And BAA, which runs six UK airports, has tripled the number of snow ploughs at Heathrow to 185.

A new flight cancellation notification system has also been set up so passengers can be kept better informed.

RECORDS

The AA’s Gavin Hill-Smith said the firm was preparing for the big freeze by recruiting emergency patrols early.

He said: “The last two years have been exceptionally bad. We are preparing for the worst, although we are hoping for the best.”

Experts warn temperatures could plunge below freezing within weeks.

Forecaster James Madden, of Exacta Weather, said: “I expect the most frequent and heavy snowfalls to occur across many parts of the UK during November, December and January. It is likely that ­temperature and snowfall records will be broken.”

But the Met Office insisted yesterday that it was ­impossible to predict how bad the winter would be.

Meanwhile, the country will enjoy above-average temperatures this week.